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Safety drives over bank holiday Safety drives over bank holiday
(about 2 hours later)
Rescue services are urging people to put safety first as they head for the hills, rivers and coasts of Wales over the August bank holiday weekend.Rescue services are urging people to put safety first as they head for the hills, rivers and coasts of Wales over the August bank holiday weekend.
A Snowdonia mountain rescue team has had a record number of call-outs, already more than in all of last year.A Snowdonia mountain rescue team has had a record number of call-outs, already more than in all of last year.
Lifeboat crews and lifeguards are preparing for a weekend which last year saw 40 launches and 40 people saved.Lifeboat crews and lifeguards are preparing for a weekend which last year saw 40 launches and 40 people saved.
RNLI safety officers at Cardiff Harbour Festival will offer visitors the chance to have lifejackets checked.RNLI safety officers at Cardiff Harbour Festival will offer visitors the chance to have lifejackets checked.
The festival is one of a number of events across Wales this weekend, including Cardiff's Mardi Gras, Swansea's World Party Weekend and Rhyl's Fun in the Sun event.The festival is one of a number of events across Wales this weekend, including Cardiff's Mardi Gras, Swansea's World Party Weekend and Rhyl's Fun in the Sun event.
They come as rescue teams prepare for what many expect to be their busiest weekend of the year.They come as rescue teams prepare for what many expect to be their busiest weekend of the year.
Charlie Graham, a team leader at Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT), urged people heading for the mountains to take basic precautions such as warm, water-proof clothing, a map, compass and torch and to check the weather forecast.Charlie Graham, a team leader at Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT), urged people heading for the mountains to take basic precautions such as warm, water-proof clothing, a map, compass and torch and to check the weather forecast.
In the summer months when boat owners may take family and friends who don't often go afloat, it's even more crucial to ensure that all on board, including babies and children, are wearing a well-fitted lifejacket Nicola Davies, RNLI
He said people should have an understanding of where they were heading and be prepared to turn back if the weather changes.He said people should have an understanding of where they were heading and be prepared to turn back if the weather changes.
He said: "With a mixed weather forecast, sunshine and bad weather, I would anticipate that we will be out on all three days of the weekend.He said: "With a mixed weather forecast, sunshine and bad weather, I would anticipate that we will be out on all three days of the weekend.
"One problem is I feel that people think rescue teams are all sitting around waiting to go and rescue people. They don't seem to understand the dangers of the mountains.""One problem is I feel that people think rescue teams are all sitting around waiting to go and rescue people. They don't seem to understand the dangers of the mountains."
Meanwhile, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards are preparing for a bank holiday weekend which over the last five years has seen 200 lifeboat launches to rescue 221 people.Meanwhile, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards are preparing for a bank holiday weekend which over the last five years has seen 200 lifeboat launches to rescue 221 people.
British Fish Craft champion Jonny Jenkins hopes to retain his titleBritish Fish Craft champion Jonny Jenkins hopes to retain his title
Last year, lifeguards on 12 Pembrokeshire beaches helped 60 people over the three days of the bank holiday.Last year, lifeguards on 12 Pembrokeshire beaches helped 60 people over the three days of the bank holiday.
This year the RNLI is stepping up its "useless unless worn" lifejacket awareness campaign in Wales with the checks at Cardiff Harbour Festival part of a drive to ensure lifejackets are well maintained.This year the RNLI is stepping up its "useless unless worn" lifejacket awareness campaign in Wales with the checks at Cardiff Harbour Festival part of a drive to ensure lifejackets are well maintained.
The charity claims almost 35% of lifejackets it has checked in the UK and Ireland would fail to operate.The charity claims almost 35% of lifejackets it has checked in the UK and Ireland would fail to operate.
Nicola Davies, RNLI sea safety manager for Wales, said: "In the summer months when boat owners may take family and friends who don't often go afloat, it's even more crucial to ensure that all on board, including babies and children, are wearing a well-fitted lifejacket."Nicola Davies, RNLI sea safety manager for Wales, said: "In the summer months when boat owners may take family and friends who don't often go afloat, it's even more crucial to ensure that all on board, including babies and children, are wearing a well-fitted lifejacket."
The Cardiff Harbour Festival includes a range of entertainments, including the British Fish Craft Championships, where reigning champion Jonny Jenkins, from Abergavenny, hopes to retain his title.The Cardiff Harbour Festival includes a range of entertainments, including the British Fish Craft Championships, where reigning champion Jonny Jenkins, from Abergavenny, hopes to retain his title.
Headline act
Elsewhere, Cardiff is hosting its 10th Mardi Gras, with more than 70 acts confirmed for the two-day event at the city's Cooper's Field.Elsewhere, Cardiff is hosting its 10th Mardi Gras, with more than 70 acts confirmed for the two-day event at the city's Cooper's Field.
Noel Sullivan, who found fame with the made-on-TV band Hear'say, before moving into musical theatre, is part of Saturday's line-up.Noel Sullivan, who found fame with the made-on-TV band Hear'say, before moving into musical theatre, is part of Saturday's line-up.
The headline act on Sunday is Girls Can't Catch, who charted recently with Keep Your Head Up.The headline act on Sunday is Girls Can't Catch, who charted recently with Keep Your Head Up.
Across Wales, Rhyl's Fun in the Sun event includes a guest appearance by former Blue star Lee Ryan and Big Brother 9's Samanda.Across Wales, Rhyl's Fun in the Sun event includes a guest appearance by former Blue star Lee Ryan and Big Brother 9's Samanda.
Swansea's annual World Party Weekend focuses the city's cultural diversity with a range of local groups putting their talents in the spotlight.Swansea's annual World Party Weekend focuses the city's cultural diversity with a range of local groups putting their talents in the spotlight.
The three day Bodelwyddan Show in Flintshire will offer visitors the chance to see mass hot air balloon launches, stunt shows and live music.The three day Bodelwyddan Show in Flintshire will offer visitors the chance to see mass hot air balloon launches, stunt shows and live music.
And on Monday the World Bog Snorkelling Championships take place in Llanwrtyd Wells.And on Monday the World Bog Snorkelling Championships take place in Llanwrtyd Wells.